Study: ChatGPT can run software firm super fast at small cost

WEB DESK: A recent study led by researchers from Brown University and various Chinese universities explored the potential of OpenAI’s ChatGPT 3.5 model to autonomously operate a profitable software company.

The research formed an imaginary software development company called ChatDev, and it split its work into stages like design, coding, testing, and documentation. AI bots were given tasks according to a company structure, communicating with little human involvement, mimicking regular organisational interactions.

Surprisingly, the AI company finished making the software in less than seven minutes, and it only cost less than one dollar. The researchers found an 86.66 per cent success rate, and the AI bots could detect and fix problems using their memory and self-reflection.

However, ChatGPT has received recent criticism, with some saying it’s not as smart as before and worries about OpenAI’s money situation because of high chatbot maintenance costs. However, this study shows that generative AI might be able to do challenging tasks with little human help.

Read More: More writers sue OpenAI for copyright infringement over AI training

The future holds opportunities for refining communication protocols, optimising interactions, and integrating emerging technologies like reinforcement learning and explainable AI into software development processes, as proposed by the Communicative Agents for Software Development study.

It’s essential to acknowledge that OpenAI’s GPT-3.5 model has limitations, notably accessing information only up to September 2021. Workers, as per Microsoft’s Work Trend Index report, appear open to leveraging AI to reduce their workload without significant job security concerns.

Nevertheless, ChatGPT has seen declining user numbers and environmental concerns due to its substantial energy consumption.